Don't give NFL a pass on this one

Mercury News ^ | February 3, 2003 | Skip Bayless

[ejdrapes]

For me, the most entertaining aspect of the Super Bowl halftime show was the NFL's immediate ``outrage,'' CBS's ``apology'' and Janet Jackson's and Justin Timberlake's explanation of this ``embarrassing accident.''

Soon after Sunday night's game, copies of these carefully crafted statements were passed out to reporters at Reliant Stadium. Easily manipulated media members perhaps considered this ``a quick and upfront response to an unfortunate situation.'' No cover up here, during or after the show. Right?

[MEG33]

I believe this man is absolutely correct.Great game,tho.I missed half time..not my style.

[Fenris6]

Tagliabue needs to get serious - ban Viacom from ever hosting another NFL venue.

[OldFriend]

Supposedly Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake have been removed from the Grammy's Awards show.

Let's hold CBS accountable. Keep calling.

[mewzilla]

If enough people turned off their TVs, we wouldn't be having this discussion.

[Gaetano]

The Latoyafication of the Jacksons is now complete.

[OldFriend]

Hard to imagine people boycotting the Super Bowl. It's an American tradition. Our troops all over the world are treated to the feed from the game. It's a welcome respite and a little bit of home.

[mewzilla]

Well, I did. If we don't tune out, we're just gonna get more of what we got. And we'll have only ourselves to blame.

[OldFriend]

Something tells me you're no football fan in the first place.......

[mewzilla]

Oh, I'm a big fan of football. Grew up watching at my dad's knee. But as another FReeper around here put it: I didn't leave football, football left me.

[Nephi]

Something tells me you're no conservative...

[mywholebodyisaweapon]

Amen.

We did not see the commercial, the Super Bowl, or anything else on t.v. Sunday night. Don't miss it, don't want it, don't need it.

I think the last Super Bowl I saw was some time back in the 70s. I finally got tired of lusting after the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and decided to grow up.

I thank God that now I'm too old to care.

And we're surprised at how our young folks are turning out!?!?

[American_Centurion]

Somebody with the league surely suspected something was going to happen...NFL rules prevent players from taking off so much as their helmets after scoring touchdowns. Such ``out of control'' individual self-promotion threatens the league's image as ``the ultimate team sport.'' This league is bigger than any one star.

Backs up my previous statement

Statement by NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue
			Posted by American_Centurion to NotJustAnotherPrettyFace On News/Activism 02/02/2004 4:11:08 PM EST #69 of 207 There is no way in HE double hockey stick that the NFL, an organization known for it's extremely overbearing, micromanagement of every single solitary aspect of it's Sports enternainment monopoly did not know before hand the content of the halftime show! It is possible, but I don't think logical that the J. Jak and J. Dimberlake ending was a surprise, but that does not excuse them for the rest of the show! Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies

[whereasandsoforth]

Yep. Next year we are going to have a scratchy kinescope of Kate Smith singing "God Bless America". I won't mind at all.

[foreverfree]

bump

[Dante3]

I agree we have to keep calling CBS. Also we should call Tagliabue.

Powell stated he will investigate. Should have done it long ago when TV turned to sleaze and promoting demented values. I believe his e-mail is mpowell@fcc.gov

[TexasRedeye]

Viacom (who owns both MTV and CBS) and the NFL and all the direct participants all knew ahead of that crude half time show that they could not get permission - but they could certainly get forgiveness! That is why we are hearing all the "I'm sorry" stuff from everyone involved.

The FCC never holds the producers responsible for incorrect behavior or language - just the affiliates. The affiliates are the ones who hold broadcast licenses from the Federal Gov't - not the broadcast networks and producers and participants.

So, Viacom knew they would make history and leave the affiliates to foot the bill (in the form of fines) if retribution was sought by the FCC.

[Publius6961]

I tuned in at half time, just as it began, to check the halftime score. I stopped watching professional football around the time that players started earning more than the president of the United States, and I have never looked back. Yes, even the "home" team.
After watching and listening to what seemed like 10 minutes of drivel, there was not a mention of a football game, and as soon as the cage with a Michael Jackson wannabe appeared I switched back to my DVD movie. Neither the game nor the halftime score were hinted at.

The only thing better than the now infamous incident, if they want to attract the Jerry Springer crowd, would be for them to parade, at halftime, all the players' pregnant girlfriends and rape victims...

[kittymyrib]

Sadly, you are wrong. I don't think our nation will be relieved of the curse of ghetto culture for decades. We have sunk to the lowest level, and as long as the promoters make big bucks from 12-16 year-olds there, they have no incentive to raise the level above the crotch. And who is giving these kids the cash to make these ghetto-lizards mega-millionaires?

[joesnuffy]

Too bad 40 + million aborted babies dont merit as much outrage from Amerians
as Janet Jackson's 'apple-in-a-bread bag' exosure